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February 2015 entries

February 13, 2015

There are two times of year when my running habit falls by the wayside--the height of summer and the depths of winter. I haven't tied on my running shoes with any regularity since November, but now that the temperatures are rising out of the freezing range and the sun is peeking out a little more frequently, it seems like a good time to start getting back into pounding the pavement. However, as I just barely managed to wrangle us all out the door today, I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that a certain degree of difficulty has been added to this one time fairly simple routine.

Here, a comparison, based on actual events.

Running Pre-Children:

1:45 PM: Note that the sun is beaming through the windows and most of the snow has melted, decide to head out for a quick run.

1:47 PM: Having located running shoes, iPod or other patented listening device, and sunglasses, walk outside.

1:48 PM: Start running.

Running Post-Children:

1:45 PM: Note that the sun is beaming through the windows and most of the snow has melted, decide to head out for a quick run.

1:50 PM: Go down to basement and drag enormous double jogging stroller up a flight of stairs, stare at it quizzically in its half-unfolded state trying to remember how to reassemble it.

1:52 PM: Consider leaving children in pajamas since they'll be wearing jackets anyway, but realize if you do this, you will definitely run into someone you know and the telltale owl/cat footies will totally give you away and they'll probably judge you a little bit. Go in search of clothes.

2:05 PM: Having riffled through unfolded laundry basket and successfully located pants that still fit your children, engaged in a battle of wills upon trying to put a white sock on the child as she screeches "different white sock", and jammed a hat on her head to disguise unbrushed hair, congratulate self on basic accomplishment of dressing a child. Realize you still have to dress the other one.

2:10 PM: Both children are dressed. Can't find their jackets.

2:12 PM: Remember you left the jackets in the car.

2:15 PM: Children have been stuffed into jackets and loaded into stroller. Have to declare war on stroller buckles in order to lengthen straps enough to snap closed.

2:17 PM: Getting ready to walk out the door. Feel a sudden intense call of nature. Go to bathroom.

2:20 PM: Out the door! Podcast is playing! Sun is shining! Success!

2:21 PM: Realization that children have gained close to 10 pounds collectively since the last time you pushed them in the stroller.

2:22 PM: And the wheels are flat.

2:23 PM: And it's seven minutes to nap time.

So, maybe it wasn't the most successful run of my life, but hey, we made it out the door, and at least next time the stroller will already be assembled.